Can anyone help me decide whether to use either BioGuard or Biobor JF fuel additive?? I had an issue with the engine dying and changed the filters this morning and discovered why!!! Small amounts of black algae / fungus and water in the filters both primary and secondary. Do either or both 'dissolve' the debris so that it is burnt in the fuel? I have some ISO HEET to take care of the water which I understand is broken down to be less than a micron and so is passed with the fuel through the injectors. Tomorrow will see me 'vacuuming' the tank out through the fuel gauge sender unit orifice , and then adding fuel and either or of the products mentioned. Why do I have both products? ......I bought the Bioguard today only to find that the PO had a stash of a new bottle of BioborJF hidden in the lazarrette.....DUUUUUUUUUH on me!!. Any advice will be well received. Thanks.
Diesel Additive Quandary
- Thread starter Neil Hodgson
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Bioguard
Neil, I use Bioguard because it was recommended to me by the boat yard mechanic. Dunno about dissolving properties. I assume when you vacuum the tank, you will either scrub the fuel through filters or dispose of it and start fresh. Even with that, I had a similar problem AFTER scrubbing the fuel (at great expense in San Diego) due to a very rough offshore passage. Turns out the sloshing scoured the remaining gunk off the bottom of the tank, which clogged the filters. It is possible to remove the tank and/or have the tank steam cleaned, dried and reinstalled. I can't imagine what that would cost. Water is the culprit, which provides a place for the algae to grow. So my mechanic recommends keeping the tank full to avoid moisture condensation, and ffrequent change of filters. Good luck, Sanders s/v Good News Alameda (temporarily at Satellite Beach)
Neil, I use Bioguard because it was recommended to me by the boat yard mechanic. Dunno about dissolving properties. I assume when you vacuum the tank, you will either scrub the fuel through filters or dispose of it and start fresh. Even with that, I had a similar problem AFTER scrubbing the fuel (at great expense in San Diego) due to a very rough offshore passage. Turns out the sloshing scoured the remaining gunk off the bottom of the tank, which clogged the filters. It is possible to remove the tank and/or have the tank steam cleaned, dried and reinstalled. I can't imagine what that would cost. Water is the culprit, which provides a place for the algae to grow. So my mechanic recommends keeping the tank full to avoid moisture condensation, and ffrequent change of filters. Good luck, Sanders s/v Good News Alameda (temporarily at Satellite Beach)
Stop Growth
The Bio additives are designed to kill and or stop the growth, not dissolve it. When the alge is killed it will fall to the bottom of the tank and you will run the risk of picking up the dead alge. The best way to prevent alge is to insure no water in the tank, buy from good fuel docks that don't have contaminated (water) fuel. I try to insure my tank is mostly full to reduce air space, I use bio addivitives and also water absorbsion addivites to get rid of any water that may have accumulated.
The Bio additives are designed to kill and or stop the growth, not dissolve it. When the alge is killed it will fall to the bottom of the tank and you will run the risk of picking up the dead alge. The best way to prevent alge is to insure no water in the tank, buy from good fuel docks that don't have contaminated (water) fuel. I try to insure my tank is mostly full to reduce air space, I use bio addivitives and also water absorbsion addivites to get rid of any water that may have accumulated.
Good Advice, Bill
That is exactly what I do and never (knock wood) have had a fuel problem in my '88.
That is exactly what I do and never (knock wood) have had a fuel problem in my '88.
Good info...........
Gents, Thanks for the advice. I will be ensuring my tanks are topped and treated from today. Many thanks once again. Neil
Gents, Thanks for the advice. I will be ensuring my tanks are topped and treated from today. Many thanks once again. Neil
filters / fuel
in an article on sailnet, they describe a 2 filter setup, that makes a lot of sense. basicly a 2 filters not in line, but with a switch (y valve) to redirect fuel to either filer. as typical, when it gets rough, more will dislodge, and clog filters, (which normally the worst time to have a clog) with a turn of switch the inbound fuel can be redirected to the other filter. and continue operation, then the clogged can be changed while still running. (parallel filters (i think) w/ 2 swithches (one top and bottom) ------------- filter ---- tnk-- +(switch) + (switch)--->pump->mtr ------------- filter ---- you can have the fuel recycled thru filters, but now that you have the growth, it will be a continual problem. heaven help you if the filter clogged in a channel, but with the dual setup, you have backup. -oh, 20 yrs ago when I was weekend dockmaster, we sold biobar, and it was strongly recommended by the shop foreman. but it does nothing to remove the crude, now that you have it.
in an article on sailnet, they describe a 2 filter setup, that makes a lot of sense. basicly a 2 filters not in line, but with a switch (y valve) to redirect fuel to either filer. as typical, when it gets rough, more will dislodge, and clog filters, (which normally the worst time to have a clog) with a turn of switch the inbound fuel can be redirected to the other filter. and continue operation, then the clogged can be changed while still running. (parallel filters (i think) w/ 2 swithches (one top and bottom) ------------- filter ---- tnk-- +(switch) + (switch)--->pump->mtr ------------- filter ---- you can have the fuel recycled thru filters, but now that you have the growth, it will be a continual problem. heaven help you if the filter clogged in a channel, but with the dual setup, you have backup. -oh, 20 yrs ago when I was weekend dockmaster, we sold biobar, and it was strongly recommended by the shop foreman. but it does nothing to remove the crude, now that you have it.
Fuel Set
This is an Australian product, available in UK. Hopefully it is also sold in the US. It both dissolves the diesel bug so it passes through filters and is burned in the engine; and it prevents more bug from forming. I doubt it would clean an already heavily contaminated tank but I add a little at every fill up and it has certainly kept me free of problems this last 8 years. Before that I had it twice in two years.
This is an Australian product, available in UK. Hopefully it is also sold in the US. It both dissolves the diesel bug so it passes through filters and is burned in the engine; and it prevents more bug from forming. I doubt it would clean an already heavily contaminated tank but I add a little at every fill up and it has certainly kept me free of problems this last 8 years. Before that I had it twice in two years.
Read My Mind Mr Bill.........
I have another filter to put into line - parrallel- to give me some back up. The engine did die when I was in a channel which was not the most pleasant experience in my short sailing career!!! I have vacuumed 3 galls off the bottom out of the tank this morning, which would have left me about 7 gallons in. The fuel was a litle brown / burgundy,a nd already debris is settling out. ( I put some biobor in the container to observe what happens) I have added the ISO HEET and the Biobor JF in the appropriate dosage rate and filled the tank to full. All I need to do now is to go ahead and order 6 more primary and 3 more secondary filters and I will be good to go!! Thanks for all the advice chaps.
I have another filter to put into line - parrallel- to give me some back up. The engine did die when I was in a channel which was not the most pleasant experience in my short sailing career!!! I have vacuumed 3 galls off the bottom out of the tank this morning, which would have left me about 7 gallons in. The fuel was a litle brown / burgundy,a nd already debris is settling out. ( I put some biobor in the container to observe what happens) I have added the ISO HEET and the Biobor JF in the appropriate dosage rate and filled the tank to full. All I need to do now is to go ahead and order 6 more primary and 3 more secondary filters and I will be good to go!! Thanks for all the advice chaps.
Probably will make matters 'worse' .....
Fuel oil only has a shelf life of 6-12 months. Algae and bacterial scums are typically NOT the problem but particle formation due to the degeneration/decomposition of the fuel. As fuel ages, the lighter 'fractions' volitize out the vent and heavier parafinnic, etc. fractions start to decompose into gels, and gums. Once particulates begin to form (agglomerating into larger and larger and larger particles) they adhere to the tank walls as a 'soft' (black) deposition and will readily come loose, etc. The plain vanillla Racor type filters are not designed to block such 'soft'/deformable particles and will rapidly block as the gums will penetrate deeply into the filter media and rapidly plug it. Adding BioBor and other 'additives' at this stage may simply 'loosen' the 'muck' on the walls and result in a 'particle storm' that totally overwhelms the filters when the tank gets shaken up by a heavy sea-state. Usually the best thing to do is drain the tank, take the old fuel home and burn it in your home oil burner. THEN, thoroughly scub the tank internals with a long handled brush to knock the gums and particle deposition off the walls, sop up the debris with rags/paper towels... then burn the goo and start over with a clean tank and fresh fuel. No sense is wasting time with new filters, fuel polishing, additives, etc. as apparently your fuel has fully begun to 'polymerize' and particulate. Clean the tank and start over with new/fresh fuel, new filters, etc. How to tell if you have dirty/decomposing fuel: Take clear water glass and put some of the tank contents into the glass. Hold the glassful up to strong white light ... with the glass between the light and your eyeball. If you see a 'haze', then the fuel is full of crud. Good fresh diesel fuel should almost be crystal clear. Go to www.bp.com.au/fuelnews/ADF1402.pdf for a good link on fuel storage and 'shelf-life'. (Damn server isnt accepting a DOT between the 'com' and the 'au' its bpDOTcomDOTau/etc. Hope this helps.
Fuel oil only has a shelf life of 6-12 months. Algae and bacterial scums are typically NOT the problem but particle formation due to the degeneration/decomposition of the fuel. As fuel ages, the lighter 'fractions' volitize out the vent and heavier parafinnic, etc. fractions start to decompose into gels, and gums. Once particulates begin to form (agglomerating into larger and larger and larger particles) they adhere to the tank walls as a 'soft' (black) deposition and will readily come loose, etc. The plain vanillla Racor type filters are not designed to block such 'soft'/deformable particles and will rapidly block as the gums will penetrate deeply into the filter media and rapidly plug it. Adding BioBor and other 'additives' at this stage may simply 'loosen' the 'muck' on the walls and result in a 'particle storm' that totally overwhelms the filters when the tank gets shaken up by a heavy sea-state. Usually the best thing to do is drain the tank, take the old fuel home and burn it in your home oil burner. THEN, thoroughly scub the tank internals with a long handled brush to knock the gums and particle deposition off the walls, sop up the debris with rags/paper towels... then burn the goo and start over with a clean tank and fresh fuel. No sense is wasting time with new filters, fuel polishing, additives, etc. as apparently your fuel has fully begun to 'polymerize' and particulate. Clean the tank and start over with new/fresh fuel, new filters, etc. How to tell if you have dirty/decomposing fuel: Take clear water glass and put some of the tank contents into the glass. Hold the glassful up to strong white light ... with the glass between the light and your eyeball. If you see a 'haze', then the fuel is full of crud. Good fresh diesel fuel should almost be crystal clear. Go to www.bp.com.au/fuelnews/ADF1402.pdf for a good link on fuel storage and 'shelf-life'. (Damn server isnt accepting a DOT between the 'com' and the 'au' its bpDOTcomDOTau/etc. Hope this helps.
Well ..............
.....I bought the boat on November 22nd 05. There was 1/4 of a tank in it when I picked it up on Decemeber 2nd to bring her from Jacksonville down to Meritt Island (0 engine hours on the new meter) I do not know how long the fuel was in there, but the PO assured the broker he had had the fuel polished prior to selling. Naturally, I filled the tank at the marina - 15 gallons - and set off the next morning. That night after 11 hours motoring, I refuelled with 3.7 gallons (go Yanmar!!), and got her home 2 days and a further 93 miles later (total 153 miles, 31 hours on the hourmeter)). I had not refuelled since then, and the last time I went out I had the problem mentioned before. So not much of the fuel had been sat long enough to Polymerize I would expect. But I did not put in any conditioner, heet etc,until this weekend when I scalped 3 gallons off the bottom with a hand pump and put 15 back in to fill up. The gauge says full, but I know I can get some more in. I intend to run the girl for about an hour and a half in the marina one day this week which should be sufficient then to check to see if the sludge is apparent in the filters. So I suppose I will have to wait and see.
.....I bought the boat on November 22nd 05. There was 1/4 of a tank in it when I picked it up on Decemeber 2nd to bring her from Jacksonville down to Meritt Island (0 engine hours on the new meter) I do not know how long the fuel was in there, but the PO assured the broker he had had the fuel polished prior to selling. Naturally, I filled the tank at the marina - 15 gallons - and set off the next morning. That night after 11 hours motoring, I refuelled with 3.7 gallons (go Yanmar!!), and got her home 2 days and a further 93 miles later (total 153 miles, 31 hours on the hourmeter)). I had not refuelled since then, and the last time I went out I had the problem mentioned before. So not much of the fuel had been sat long enough to Polymerize I would expect. But I did not put in any conditioner, heet etc,until this weekend when I scalped 3 gallons off the bottom with a hand pump and put 15 back in to fill up. The gauge says full, but I know I can get some more in. I intend to run the girl for about an hour and a half in the marina one day this week which should be sufficient then to check to see if the sludge is apparent in the filters. So I suppose I will have to wait and see.
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